semiweekly

Semiweekly is an English term used to describe frequency and timing. In modern usage, it most commonly denotes a schedule that occurs twice per week. Some older or regional uses, however, employ semiweekly to mean every two weeks, which can create ambiguity with biweekly.

Etymology and form: The word is composed of semi- meaning half or partly, and weekly, referring to weeks. It is sometimes written as semi-weekly with a hyphen, though the closed form semiweekly is also widely accepted. Because of the overlap in meaning with related terms, usage can vary by discipline and region.

Common contexts: In publishing, a semiweekly newspaper or magazine is issued twice weekly. In payroll and human resources, a semiweekly payroll is processed twice per week. In scheduling, events described as semiweekly occur on two distinct days within a seven-day period, such as Mondays and Thursdays. Because of potential ambiguity, many writers prefer explicit phrasing like “twice weekly” or “every two weeks.”

Disambiguation and guidance: To avoid confusion, specify the exact cadence or the days involved. For example, “the newsletter is published twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays” or “the payroll is processed every two weeks.” In international usage, “biweekly” may also be ambiguous, so clarity is recommended when precision matters.